Shipping and display container



Sept. 8, 1942. I B. J. DAVIDSON 2,294,965

SHIPPING AND DISPLAY CONTAINER Filed Feb. -2, 1940 INVENTOR BRUCE J DA wasoxv (Ir ORN Patented Sept. 8, 1942 SHIPPING AND DISPLAY CONTAINER Bruce J. Davidson, Manhasset, N. Y., assignor to National Biscuit Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application February 2, 1940, Serial No. 316,901

7 Claims.

My invention relates to shipping and display containers and has for its principal object to provide a shipping container which without any increased cost of manufacture or additional material, may be used by the merchant to effectually display the merchandise that was packed in it.

Many forms of display and shipping containers have been used theretofore and they provide good display for the merchandise, but all require so much material for their manufacture that their cost is much greater than that of plain cartons of the same capacity. This increased cost has limited their use to those items that are not highly competitive or where the margin of profit is sufficient to absorb the increased expense. By means of the present invention, I provide a shipping case or carton of conventional form using a minimum of material that may be used as a display stand without any additional expense to either the carton maker or the manufacturer of the products packed in it.

The invention may be embodied in cartons or shipping cases of any size or relative dimensions, and the cartons may be tilted at any desired angle to produce the most effectual display, depending, at least in part, upon the depth of the box and the height of the floor, counter or other support on which it may be placed.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing, I have illustrated three cartons embodying my invention wherein:

Fig. 1 shows a single piece blank from which a carton may be formed;

Fig. 2 shows a carton formed from the blank of Fig. 1 as it appears when filled with merchandise and sealed ready for shipment.

Fig. 3 shows the carton of Fig. 2 in display position.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are views similar to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 respectively of a carton having a different relative height or angle of display.

Figs. '7, 8 and 9 are similar views of a third carton.

The present invention is designed for packaging many articles of commerce which customarily are put up in small cartons, Cellophane bags, and the like and then a number of these small units, as say [2, 24 or more, packed in shipping container. The shipping container is of conventional form and is marked by scored, printed, or perforated lines along which the material may be severed to provide a display for the packages that were packed in it. The container may be made from any suitable material such as card board of suitable thickness and strength, corrugated board, and the like. Usually when the capacity of the container exceeds one cubic foot, it will be made from corrugated board because of the lightness, strength and low cost of that material. However, plain or corrugated board may be used for containers of any size.

In Fig. 1, I have shown a blank of the form that is usually used for forming cartons from corrugated board. This blank is rectangular in form and comprises a side panel l0, front panel ll, side panel l2, and rear panel l3 formed in succession thereon by score lines, l4, l5 and I6 on which the material is folded to form the carton. When the materialis folded, the edges I! and I8 come together at one corner of the carton and are secured together by a cloth or heavy paper tape. When the carton is formed from material other than corrugated board, the edge I! is provided with a short tongue or sealing flap which overlies the edge I8 of the rear wall l3 and is secured thereto either by gluing or stapling.

At the bottom of the blank there are four closing flaps I9, 20, 21 and 22 which are turned in and secured together by stapling or gluing to form the bottom wall of the carton or container. The end flaps 20 and 22 are first turned in and then the two side flaps l9, 2| are turned in over them and secured in any suitable manner. The width of the flaps I9, 21 is one-half the width of the panels H and I3 so that they meet at the center. The bottom flaps are separated by slits 23, 24 and 25 which are in alignment with the score lines l4, l5 and 16.

Closing flaps 26, 21, 28 and 29 separated by cuts 30, 3| and 32 are provided at the top of the blank for closing the top of the carton in the same manner that the bottom is closed.

As far as thus described, the carton blank is of conventional form and is used quite extensively for shipping containers. My invention consists in providing means whereby this carton may be used both as a shipping container and as a display stand without any additional material or any increase in manufacturing costs.

In Fig. 1 I provide the diagonal line 33 which extends from the upper corner of the side wall I0, which is the upper rear corner of the carton when formed, to a point which in this case is midway of the length of the opposite edge of the side wall. A similar line 34 extends from the upper left hand corner of the side II to a point which is midway of the opposite edge of the Wall 12. A score line 36 extends midway across the front wall H and joins the lower ends of the inclined lines 33, 34. From the opposite ends of the score line 36 I form vertical lines 31, 38 which extend parallel to the score lines l4, l down to the bottom of the front wall II where they meet the score line 39 that defines the boundaries between the walls of the carton and the bottom closing flaps.

While I have shown the lines 3'! and 38 spaced inwardly on the front panels a short distance from the score lines l4, these lines may coincide with the score lines l4, l5 or be spaced therefrom a slight distance on the side panels l0 and I2. However, I prefer to bring them in a short distance on the front panel because it is then easier to form the display stand and this also leaves two lips 40, 4| that give a finished appearance to the carton when used as a display stand and also stiffen the front edges of the side walls IE1 and I2.

The lines 33, 34, 3! and 38 are indicia of where the carton is to be cut to form a display stand and may be formedin any suitable manner as by scoring, printing, or perforations.

In Fig. 2, I show a carton or shipping container formed from the blank of Fig. 1 as it is received, filled with merchandise from the manufacturer.

Fig. 3 shows the carton of Fig. 2 when it is made into a display stand for the merchandise that was shipped in it.

When the carton is packed with merchandise that will not be injured by doing so, the display stand may be formed by cutting along the lines 33, 34, 3'? and 38, and along the score line 42 at the upper rear edge of the carton. The top of the carton then forms a display support having triangular sides 43 and a rectangular end section 44 formed from the upper half of the front wall II which is hinged along the score line 36 to the lower section 45 of the front panel H which in turn, is hinged to the bottom of the carton along the score line 39. The triangular sides 43 are formed from theside-walls l0 and I2, the remaining portion 43 of these walls being trapezoidal in form. As shown in Fig. 3, when the carton is in position with the triangular support under the body of the carton, its front is raised to display position by the end section 44 which is connected to the hinged section 45 of the front wall. This raises the front open end of the carton so that the top edges where it was out along the lines 33, 34 are now horizontal and the rear wall I3 is tilted back through the same angle that the front is raised. The lips or flanges 45), 41 extend inwardly at the edges of the open front of the carton so as to give it a finished appearance and also to stiffen the sections 46 of the side walls and prevent their bowing out- Ward.

In cases where the carton is packed with material so that it cannot be out while filled, the merchant or salesman will first break the seal of the flaps 25, 21, 28, 29 and open the carton to remove its contents. When the carton has been emptied it will be cut along the lines 33, 34, 31, 38 which will leave the flap 29 connected to the top of the rear wall l3. The triangular top part is then turned under the carton as shown in Fig. 3, the same as previously described and the merchandise then replaced in the container for display purposes. The sealing flap 29- may be raised to vertical position and have printed upon it any information such as the name of the merchandise, its price and so forth.

While I have shown the blank in Fig. l as having rectangular closing flaps at the top and bottom which are secured by gluing or stapling, these fiaps may be of the interlocking type or be provided with tongues and slots so that they can be closed without glue or staples. The same is true in respect to closing the cartons formed from the blanks of Figs. 4 and 7.

In Figs. 1 to 3, I have shown a carton where the front edge is elevated one-half the height of the carton for display purposes. Since these cartons are made of many different relative dimensions, that is in some cases the height is much greater or less than the width or length of the box, and since they will be used for display in many different places as on fioors, counters, shelves,-showcases, tables and the like, it is necessary that means be provided so that the carton can be tilted to the angle that will afford the best display under the conditions where it is to be displayed and the size and dimensions of the cartons.

In Figs. 4 to 9 I show how'my invention may be embodied in cartons of different relative sizes and which will be tilted'at different angles to produce the most effective display.

In Figs. 4 to 9 the cartons shown are of the same general form as that of Figs. 1 to 3, so I will use the same reference numbers to indicate the same or corresponding parts thereon, but omitting a duplication of numbers on some parts where the construction is clear. Referring now to Fig. 4, the lines 33, 34 arethe same as in Fig. l and they meet the score line 36 which however is above the center of the front panel II and "the section 47 is less than one-half the front panel. I also provide a score line 48 across the front panel H to define a sectiondi! which added to section 4"! will equal half the height of the carton. Between the lines 33a-nd 48 there is formed section 59 whose height is equal to half the height of the carton. The lines. 31, 38 extended from the score line 35 vertically downward to the score line 43 and define lips 40, as in Fi 1.

The carton is formed, filled and sealed the same as the carton in Figs. 1 to 3, and Fig. 5 shows the carton as it is received by the dealer filled with merchandise.

In. order to form a display the carton is out along the lines 33, 34, 31' and 38 .(either before or after the merchandise isremovedasthe case may be) and the top. is folded down along the score lines 35, 68 so that the section 5!] overlies the sections 41, 49 andthe triangular sides 43 are under the bottom of the cartonas clearly shown in Fig. 6. This form of. the invention will be used when the height. of the box, as respects its length, is greater than the relative height of the box of Fig. 2-or in. places where it isdesired to display the merchandise at a lower angle than in the case of Figs-1 to 3.

In Figs- 7 to 9' I show another Way in which the carton can be made into a display stand in accordance Withmy invention. The lines .33, 34' that extend diagonally across the sides l0 and I2 meet the ends of a line-5| across the front panel to form an upper section 41. The score line 48 extends across the front wall to provide a lower section. 49 which is of the same height as the upper section '41. Between the 'twolines '48 and El is an intermediate section 5.2 whose height does not necessarily bear any definite relation. to the height of the sections .47, 49'. The .line 5| is a severable line the same as' the lines 33; 34 and:

indicates where the material of the cartonis to. be cut. Itneed not'be a. score linei1ike the line 35. j

Lines 31, 38 extend down close to the edges of the front panel to the score line 39, and the material of the carton will be out along these lines the same as in the other formsof the invention.

"This carton is formed, filled, and sealed as shown in Fig. 8, just the same as the carton shown in Figs. 2 and 5. It may be cut to form the display either before or after the merchandise is removed the same as described with respect to Figs, 2 and 5. The carton is out along the lines 33, 34 and 5! so that the top section of the carton, comprising the cover flaps 26, 28 is free from the body of the carton. The carton is next out along the lines 31 and 38 leaving the sections 39 and 52 hinged together along the score line 38 and hinged to the bottom of the carton along the score line 39. When the carton is placed in display position the triangular top which has been removed will be placed in contact with the bottom of the carton and the section 49 turned down so that it lies against the section 51 and the section 58 will extend loosely at an angle up inside of the triangular sides 43 as clearly shown in Fig. 9. When the display is formed in this manner the front of the carton will be open all the way down to the bottom as shown in Fig. 9.

While I have shown the score lines 36 and 48 extending only across the front panel I! they will extend usually all the way across the carton blanks. That is because the carton blanks will be formed by a continuous process and the scoring rules will be always in operation. I have shown only that portion of the score line which extends across the panel H because that is the only portion that is used and, if the cartons be made by stamping or cutting, only the short score lines as shown need be formed.

The carton blanks just as shown in Figs. 1, 4, and 7 may be shipped from the carton factory to the manufacturer or the edges I! and It may be secured together by the carton maker and the cartons shipped folded flat.

Having thus described and illustrated my invention, I claim all equivalents thereof that come within the spirit or scope of my claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A blank for a combined shipping and display carton having formed thereon by vertical score lines front, rear and two side panels, closing flaps at the top and bottom edges of the panels secured thereto along horizontal score lines, there being a potential display support defined on the blank by indicia comprising lines extending diagonally across the side panels from their top rear edges to points intermediate the top and bottom edges of the front panel and a horizontal line extending across the front panel joining the ends of the two diagonal lines and vertical lines extending downward adjacent the side edges of the front panel from the said horizontal line a distance not less than one half the height of the front panel.

2. A blank for a combined shipping and display carton having formed thereon by vertical score lines front, rear and two side panels, closing flaps at the top and bottom edges of the panels secured thereto along horizontal score lines, there being a potential display support defined on the blank by indicia comprising lines extending diagonally across the side panels from their top rear edges to points intermediate the top and bottom edges of the front panel and a horizontal line extending across the front panel joining the ends of the two diagonal lines and vertical lines extending downward'adj'acent the side edges of. the front panel from the saidhorizontal line a distance not less than one half the height of the front panel, the lower ends of said vertical lines terminating at a horizontal score line.

3. A blank for a combined shipping and display carton having formed thereon by vertical score lines front, rear, and two side panels, closing flaps at the top and bottom edges of the panels secured thereto along horizontal score lines, there being a potential display support defined on the blank by indicia comprising lines extending diagonally across the side panels from their top rear edges to points intermediate the top and bottom edges of the front panel and an upper horizontal line extending across the front panel joining the ends of the'two diagonal lines and vertical lines extending downward adjacent the side edges of the front panel from said horizontal line to a lower horizontal score line extending across said front panel above the lower edge thereof, the lower horizontal line being substantially the same distance from the lower edge of the front panel that the upper horizontal line is from its top edge.

4. A blank for a combined shipping and display carton having formed thereon by vertical score lines front, rear, and two side panels, closing flaps at the top and bottom edges of the panels secured thereto along horizontal score lines, there being a potential display support defined on the blank by indicia comprising lines xtending diagonally across the side panels from their top rear edges to points intermediate the top and bottom edges of the front panel and an upper horizontal line extending across the front panel joining the ends of the two diagonal lines and vertical lines extending downward adjacent the side edges of the front panel from said horizontal line to the lower edge of the front panel, and a lower horizontal score line extending across the front panel intermediate the ends of the said vertical lines, the lower horizontal line being substantially the same distance from the lower edge of the front panel that the upper horizontal line is from its top edge.

5. A carton having rectangular front, rear, side, top and bottom walls, a potential inclined display support defined on the carton by severable lines and score lines, the severable lines extending from the upper rear corners of the carton diagonally across each side wall to midway of each side of the front wall then vertically downward adjacent each edge of the front wall to the bottom thereof, a score line extending midway across the front wall joining-the said diagonal lines, and a score line along the bottom edge of the front wall, whereby when the carton is out along said severable lines the top will form a display support with triangular sides connected to the carton by a part of the front wall and adapted to be turned under the carton to tilt it rearwardly in display position.

6. A carton having rectangular front, rear, side, top and bottom walls, a potential display support defined on the carton by severable and score lines, the score lines extending horizontally across the front wall and dividing it into an intermediate section and upper and lower sections, the width of the intermediate section being equal to the combined width of the upper and lower sections, the severable lines extending from the upper rear corners of the carton diagonally downward and forward across the two side walls to opposite ends of the upper score line on the front wall thence vertically downward adjacent the side edges of the front wall tothe lower score line, whereby upon severing the carton along said severable lines a triangular support is provided. that is hinged to the carton by said intermediate section along said score lines and adapted to be turned under the bottom of the carton with said upper and lower sections abutting to support the carton in inclined display position.

'7. A carton having rectangular front, rear, side, top and bottom walls, a potential display support defined on the carton by severable and score lines, a horizontal severable line extending across the front wall above the center and a horizontal score line extending across the front wall below the center, the lines being spaced to divide the front wall into upper and lower sections and an intermediate section, the widths of the upper and lower sections being substantially equal, Vertical severable lines extending downward from opposite ends of said horizontal severable line adjacent the side edges of the front wall to the bottom thereof, and diagonal severable lines extending from opposite ends of said horizontal severable line across said side Walls to the upper rear corners thereof, whereby when the carton is out along said severable lines the top wall with triangular side pieces becomes removable to form an inclined support for the carton and the intermediate section of the front wall may be turned down and within said triangular side pieces, thereby holding the upper portion in place on the inclined support.

BRUCE J. DAVIDSON. 

